Lake Country Log Homeshttps://www.lakecountrylog.com
Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:11:43 -0800en-CAhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9Shasta Log Cabin Home Designhttps://www.lakecountrylog.com/shasta-log-cabin-home-design/
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 21:19:28 +0000https://www.lakecountrylog.com/?p=4473The Shasta Log Cabin Home Design is one of most popular designs for clients looking for a smaller home or a chalet in the mountains. The Shasta is designed with large diameter Western Red Cedar Logs featuring flared butts and character logs throughout the plan. With the steep roof pitch, large roof over hangs and […]

]]>The Shasta Log Cabin Home Design is one of most popular designs for clients looking for a smaller home or a chalet in the mountains. The Shasta is designed with large diameter Western Red Cedar Logs featuring flared butts and character logs throughout the plan. With the steep roof pitch, large roof over hangs and covered porches this cabin is ideal for wet or snowy climates.

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) grows in the Pacific Northwest and can reach heights of up to 60 meters. Also known as ‘West Coast Cedar’, the species has been so extensively used by the aboriginal inhabitants of the region that some refer to themselves as ‘people of the redcedar’. They consider Western Red Cedar to be a ‘long life maker’ and have gone to incredible lengths to harvest it. (Falling a tree took many days with a constant rotation of labourers and required a combination of cutting and burning). European settlers also recognized the value of this building material, referring to it as the ‘Tree of Life’.

Benefits of Western Red Cedar

Natural Beauty

Western Red Cedar logs and timbers create a natural, intimate living environment. Their warm tones allow for visually striking features. The wood also has a superior capacity to accept stain, allowing for many different design options.

Durable

Western Red Cedar contains natural preservatives that deter insects and prevent decay. The species also has a very low shrinkage factor and is superior in its ability to resist checking, twisting or warping.

Insulating and Acoustical Properties

Western Red Cedar contains a high proportion of air filled cell cavities, making it an excellent insulator. This unique composition also gives it an exceptional capacity to absorb and dissipate sound.

Environmentally Friendly

Sourced directly from natural resources, Western Red Cedar wood has less impact on the environment than other building materials. A peer reviewed study compared the environmental impact of Western Red Cedar wood to that of fibre cement, clay brick, vinyl siding and composite decking. It was found to be far more environmentally friendly than the other materials studied.

Western Red Cedar Country

Lake Country Log Homes is located in British Columbia, Canada – the very heart of Western Red Cedar country. We are a premium log home builder that uses premium, hand selected logs. We will incorporate stylish, visually striking features into your design. In addition to our standard 14-16 diameter logs, we also offer large diameter character logs with flare butts, burrows, knots or roots. Contact us today. Let’s start building your home from nature!

A Highly Valued Material

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) grows in the Pacific Northwest and can reach heights of up to 60 meters. Also known as ‘West Coast Cedar’, the species has been so extensively used by the aboriginal inhabitants of the region that some refer to themselves as ‘people of the redcedar’. They consider Western Red Cedar to be a ‘long life maker’ and have gone to incredible lengths to harvest it. (Falling a tree took many days with a constant rotation of labourers and required a combination of cutting and burning). European settlers also recognized the value of this building material, referring to it as the ‘Tree of Life’.

Benefits of Western Red Cedar

Natural Beauty

Western Red Cedar logs and timbers create a natural, intimate living environment. Their warm tones allow for visually striking features. The wood also has a superior capacity to accept stain, allowing for many different design options.

Durable

Western Red Cedar contains natural preservatives that deter insects and prevent decay. The species also has a very low shrinkage factor and is superior in its ability to resist checking, twisting or warping.

Insulating and Acoustical Properties

Western Red Cedar contains a high proportion of air filled cell cavities, making it an excellent insulator. This unique composition also gives it an exceptional capacity to absorb and dissipate sound.

Environmentally Friendly

Sourced directly from natural resources, Western Red Cedar wood has less impact on the environment than other building materials. A peer reviewed study compared the environmental impact of Western Red Cedar wood to that of fibre cement, clay brick, vinyl siding and composite decking. It was found to be far more environmentally friendly than the other materials studied.

Western Red Cedar Country

Lake Country Log Homes is located in British Columbia, Canada – the very heart of Western Red Cedar country. We are a premium log home builder that uses premium, hand selected logs. We will incorporate stylish, visually striking features into your design. In addition to our standard 14-16 diameter logs, we also offer large diameter character logs with flare butts, burrows, knots or roots. Contact us today. Let’s start building your home from nature!

Lake Country Log Homes builds in Colorado, USA. Did you know that Colorado has the highest ‘lowest elevation point’ of any other State and that log buildings had a large role to play in its’ mining towns starting from over 150 years ago? For example, a mountainous ghost town called Animas Forks had, at it’s peak, over 30 cabins. Since it continues as a tourist attraction, you can visit and see the town yourself.

Also shown to the right is a photograph of a log home being constructed here in our yard in British Columbia, Canada and that has since been shipped to Colorado. Notice the flared butt staggered end log tails – one of many design options available at Lake Country. Notice also the roof system (shown here half-built) with the logs pitch cut to accomodate framing. This Western Red Cedar log home is going to fit right in amongst Colorados’ striking and mountainous landscapes!

Have you checked out our Photo Gallery yet? After you have, contact us by filling out this form! We’ll be very happy to hear from you!

Proper building design and materials preparation makes for an efficient set-up and construction of your log home.

Before we ship your log shell package to your site, our designers work with you and your electrician to finalize the placement of every fixture and outlet. Then, our craftsmen pre-drill and cut holes for wires, switches and outlets.

This will save you thousands of dollars. You won’t have expensive equipment and crew members sitting idle while your contractor deals with things on-site. Prepare and save money with Lake Country Log Homes.

The Longhouses of the Northwest Coast People

The Northwest Coast People built ancient log buildings in British Columbia. They were masters at using local resources and this mastery included their use of giant Western Red Cedar trees to build longhouses (so named because they could be as long as 150′ and as wide as 60′). They began building these structures three to four thousand years ago, doing so by first chopping down trees using stone axes and floating them to their village. Then, after fastening some logs together to build a post and beam frame, they would split others into planks for cladding, roofing and flooring. These planks were overlapped to keep out the rain. (Interestingly enough, European settlers used the same principle when incorporating materials from their ships for lapped siding on their first North American homes.)

Longhouse Design Features

These log buildings were designed to be energy efficient. Included among their features were a low roof line and a single entrance, with the low roof line decreasing the amount of space requiring heating and the single entrance decreasing opportunities for heat to escape. Also related to heating efficiency was the fact that these houses had booths – each with its own individual hearth and fire. Another design feature of these Western Red Cedar Post and Beam structures was that they could be dismantled and moved when the tribe needed to migrate in search of food.

Design and Build Your Home With Us!

Lake Country Log Homes is proud to design and build beautiful, efficient and functional homes for families and communities. Would you like to build your dream home with us? If so, you can begin the process by requesting a quotation. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

]]>Custom Western Red Cedar Log Home Under Construction in British Columbiahttps://www.lakecountrylog.com/western-red-cedar-log-home-under-construction-in-bc/
Tue, 24 Jul 2018 21:00:42 +0000https://www.lakecountrylog.com/?p=3208A photo taken last week of a custom Western Red Cedar log home under construction in BC. The building site is on a remote inlet on the British Columbia Pacific Coast. This home was built at our Log Building Yard in Sicamous BC. Then, it was loaded onto transport trailers and sent to the building […]

]]>A photo taken last week of a custom Western Red Cedar log home under construction in BC. The building site is on a remote inlet on the British Columbia Pacific Coast. This home was built at our Log Building Yard in Sicamous BC. Then, it was loaded onto transport trailers and sent to the building site over several deliveries and barge trips in June. Now one of LCLH’s crews will be on site for the duration of the lock-up construction and exterior finishing.

]]>Western Red Cedar Flared Character Log Home during constructionhttps://www.lakecountrylog.com/western-red-cedar-log-cabin-home/
Wed, 09 May 2018 16:21:39 +0000https://www.lakecountrylog.com/?p=3112Photo of Braxton Gervais next to a custom Handcrafted Western Red Cedar Log Cabin Home. This home is currently being built at our yard in British Columbia for clients in Colorado. It features some coastal growth Western Red Cedar with large diameter flared character butts. To give a size perspective Braxton is about 5′ tall […]

]]>Photo of Braxton Gervais next to a custom Handcrafted Western Red Cedar Log Cabin Home. This home is currently being built at our yard in British Columbia for clients in Colorado. It features some coastal growth Western Red Cedar with large diameter flared character butts. To give a size perspective Braxton is about 5′ tall (150cm).
Western Red Cedar Flared Character Log Home

]]>Let it snow!https://www.lakecountrylog.com/let-it-snow/
Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:59:33 +0000https://www.lakecountrylog.com/?p=2979Once again Old Man Winter has given us year full of snow. This often means things slow down and people stay inside to keep warm. Not here at Lake Country Log Homes! At the yard you will find the crew out in full force working diligently on one of our latest Handcrafted Western Red Cedar […]

]]>Considerations to make when building a Log Homehttps://www.lakecountrylog.com/considerations-to-make-when-building-a-log-home/
Wed, 05 Apr 2017 18:43:02 +0000https://www.lakecountrylog.com/?p=2691This blog post will focus on important considerations to make when building a Log Home

]]>This blog post will focus on important considerations to make when building a Log Home

1. Your Intended Use

Knowing how you plan on using your home should be a big consideration for your log home. Will this be a summer cabin or a year-round family home? Do you plan on entertaining large groups of friends or will this be your home away from home to get away and go fishing? It’s these kinds of questions that will help you choose which floorplan will work best for you and your family

2. Placement

Think about the placement of your log home on your lot. Are you on water or other natural feature that will play a large role in your use of the property? Knowing your land will help you think of your views and plan to frame the outdoors so that you are comfortable living inside.

3. Your Budget

Think about your budget. Be realistic and thoroughly examine your needs vs your wants. It’s easy to get ahead of yourself but staying grounded throughout the whole process is key to getting the log home you have always wanted.

4. Resale Value

Always consider resale value as you plan your house. Make it right for you but intriguing for potential buyers in the future. Room shapes and traffic patterns are important. Place your deck or porch with privacy in mind.

5. Your Favourite Rooms

Think about the rooms you spend your time in, and why. Many families make the kitchen the focal point of the home so a large and sunny eat-in kitchen becomes important – while others prefer the family room.

]]>Common Myths about Log Homeshttps://www.lakecountrylog.com/common-myths-about-log-homes/
Wed, 15 Mar 2017 21:11:50 +0000https://www.lakecountrylog.com/?p=2510This article aims to address some common myths about Log Homes. Hard to Maintain Absolutely not! As with anything worth having, a little time and effort goes along ways. Most importantly is starting out with a proper design. The next step is periodic maintenance with a good stain purchased from a company that specializes in […]

Absolutely not! As with anything worth having, a little time and effort goes along ways. Most importantly is starting out with a proper design.

The next step is periodic maintenance with a good stain purchased from a company that specializes in log home products and not something off the shelf of a local discount store. The exterior of the home is the main area of maintenance that must be taken care of during the life of the home. The interior stained or varnished walls will never need to be redone to any normal failure

.

Log homes will rot easily

Yes, wood does rot, but only between the moisture content of 30% to 60%. There is no such thing as dry rot as wood must be quite moist to rot. So a properly designed log home (or any home for that matter) with adequate roof overhangs, rain gutters, down spouts and periodic maintenance will endure of generations. Whenever I get a call from someone with a rotting problem, it is due to the fact they have defied basic logic and common sense. Furthermore, they spend 4 hours each weekend on their lawn but never seem to be concerned about the home itself. The proof in the pudding is seeing the log structures in Europe (and the United States) that are in great shape after hundreds of years.

Termites and other wood boring insects will be attracted to log homes and set about devouring them.

Wood boring insects are not attracted to large quantities of wood. If the logs are constructed of green, unseasoned logs with the bark still on the logs, then some wood boring insects can become established under the bark during the summer and live there for several years. Once the wood is dry these insects are not attracted to the logs.

Banks will not make a loan on a log home

Getting your dream home may mean building it from the ground up. Most importantly, you will need to find a mortgage specialist knowledgeable in construction financing.

No of course not. As with insurance, banks and mortgage policies vary from region to region. It is best to contact your local bank or mortgage specialist to get the conversation started.

Log homes are a fire hazard

This is an argument that goes against common sense and logic. Our logs start a mean dimension of 12”. Compared with traditional wood framing and drywall, it is easy to see when is more likely to burn.

Insurance rates are higher for log homes

This could be a case of some insurance companies however, insurance premiums are more concerned with the appraisal value and risks associated to your location. Our recommendation is to start asking these question with your current insurance representative as insurance policies vary from region to region.

Log homes are not energy efficient

Most of these rumors have been started by individuals who have never lived in a log home or are “concerned” relatives giving free advice to other relatives who are considering building a log home. Now let me say that the log home that I am talking about is one that is well designed, manufactured to modern standards and built by someone who knows what they are doing. Most building codes only recognize “R” factor which does not take into account the tightness of a well built log home. It does not take in the mass of wood which holds the heat far better than a flimsy stud home. Recently a client of ours finished his log home manufactured of dry, Western red cedar logs. At that time, he needed to get an air-tightness test from the county. It came in as the second tightest home they have ever tested…most of them being stud homes.